He was a sergeant in the Marine Corps and served in the Pacific Theater, said his widow, Virginia June. She said he joined the Corps when he was 16 by fudging his age to a recruiter.

"There was nothing to do on the 'rez.' That's what he told me,'' she said Thursday.

He had plenty to do in his 3.5 years in the service. Virginia June said he was involved in major battles and crossed the equator eight times during his stint with the Marines.

The Japanese were never able to crack the code, based on the Navajo language, and its very existence remained a secret for decades after the war.

"The Navajo Nation lost a great warrior," said Lawrence T. Morgan, speaker of the Navajo Nation Council. "It is a pleasure to know that we have warriors like Sgt. Allen Dale June, to serve and protect our freedom. His unique service to his country brought positive attention to the Navajo Nation. He will be missed.''

Virginia June said her husband fell ill on a trip from their home in Colorado to visit family in Arizona. He was treated in Flagstaff and then moved to Prescott. She said he had been suffering from dementia and eventually succumbed to complications from pneumonia.

"I'm having a hard time,'' Virginia said. "It's very hard for me to accept that he's gone.''

Virginia said her husband earned a master's degree after the war and worked as an accountant. He leaves behind 10 children from three wives, including one from his marriage to Virginia.